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About Minamata disease Minamata disease was caused by organic mercury contained in acetaldehyde wastewater discharged from factories. The Chisso Minamata plant (Kumamoto Prefecture) and the Showa Denko Nose plant (Niigata Prefecture) discharged their liquid waste. As the result, residents of the area of the Shiranui Sea, Minamata, and of the Agano River in Niigata, who ate fish and shellfish contaminated with organic mercury began to have serious health problems such as sensual disorder, visual field constriction, cramps, severe pain, total paralysis, and disturbance of consciousness causing a frenzied uproar. In October 2004, the Supreme Court held the state and Kumamoto Prefecture responsible for the failure to exercise their power to restrict the pollution and provide for the compensation of the victims. It also upheld the Osaka High Court ruling that victims can be recognized as having Minamata disease if only they have sensual disorder. As of April 10, more than 3,800 people applied for recognition as Minamata disease patients. - Akahata, April 30, 2006 |
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